[Nigal]

An interesting presentation on TED about the effects of bike helmets. Enjoy and discuss.

Mikael Colville-Andersen - TEDx Copenhagen

[Nigal]

Actually he did 2.5 years of research on the subject. Some of his numbers seem pretty solid. Some are a stretch; like correlating helmet campaigns to decreasing number of riders. I do believe we are subjected to fear constantly for commercial purposes. Personally I can't recall a single time in all the years I've been riding that I can say a helmet has made a difference. And that includes being hit two times by cars.

[Nigal]

Oh I don't think helmets are pointless altogether. I'm simply wondering exactly how effective and necessary they really are. One other factor that Mikael didn't point out is the effect that safety equipment and devices have on our behavior. It's been shown that the more safety equipment we have protecting us the more risks we are willing to take. I could see how not wearing a helmet would cause me to not take certain risks and would cause me to be much more aware which would, in itself, reduce the risk of even needing a helmet. if we look at places like Copenhagen where 30+% of people bike over drive we don't see an epidemic of brain injuries. Do a google image search for "Copenhagen biking" and notice how many people are wearing helmets. Very surprising.

And yes, all it takes is one time to kill you but the same can be said for being in your own home. Remember Gary Coleman? What I would like to know is what are the odds of someone actually dying from a head injury while bicycling and how does that compare to other activities? It's actually very funny because when friends rag on me for carrying a concealed weapon because it only takes the one time I would need it, they call me paranoid. LOL!

[SprocketGirl]

maybe on the road it is not that big of a deal... but i would never mtb without a helmet. that is just stupid. of course you could just ask Fabio Casartelli if you should wear a helmet... i am sure he has an opinion.

[bradsalex]

Even on the road it can be hazardous without a helmet. Maybe it's not going to be a crash that will result in BFT to the head... I was riding in Northern Virginia and someone tried to hit me with a bottle at 60... so it's for those "just in case" or "better safe than sorry" moments.

Brad

[Nigal]

Originally Posted by SprocketGirl

maybe on the road it is not that big of a deal... but i would never mtb without a helmet. that is just stupid. of course you could just ask Fabio Casartelli if you should wear a helmet... i am sure he has an opinion.

I would not mtb without a helmet either. And I sure as hell wouldn't be coming down Col de Portet d'Aspet in a pack without a helmet. But popping down to Trader Joes to pick up a few things? Meh.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by Nigal

I would not mtb without a helmet either. And I sure as hell wouldn't be coming down Col de Portet d'Aspet in a pack without a helmet. But popping down to Trader Joes to pick up a few things? Meh.

I've said it before - until the day comes when we get to pick the exact day and time a car is going to hit us, comments like the one above makes no sense.

[cwtrials]

I've crushed in the back of one of my own helmets... instead of the back of my head.

Seen one split in two. (It was the only day my friend ever wore a helmet)
Seen another one get a pointy rock about 1" into the foam. (rider still blacked out, but I didn't carry out body)

Helmets are like seatbelts... in all my time driving I haven't ever needed it. But to drive without one wouldn't be terribly bright.

p.s. helmet for children are 100% essential. Kids fall all the time, are completely unaware of cars, have not psychologically developed a sense of risk, and younger kids have not fully developed skulls etc.
p.p.s. So we as adults should set an example regardless

[LarryM]

An acquaintance suffered traumatic brain injury in a very low speed bike fall two years ago. He was in intensive care for over a month and rehab for 6 months. He still has serious problems, including occasional blackouts and continuous balance issues. The ER doc said he likely would not have survived without the helmet.

Another friend was on a fast downhill when he had to take evasive action to avoid some careless walkers. He lost control of the bike and slid into a guardrail head first. He was unconscious for 4 days, in intensive care for over a week, and his doc said the helmet saved his life.

A couple of years ago, I took a slow speed fall and whacked my head hard enough to be very glad I was wearing a helmet.

Statisticians may dismiss all that as anecdotal, but it is sufficient to convince me to always wear a helmet. They're not designed to protect against a 30 mph crash with a car, but they can save you from becoming a vegetable in a lot of circumstances.

As to whether or not YOU should wear a helmet ... I'm not the bike police. Everyone has to assess their own tolerance for risk and deal with the consequences. That said, I would advise members of my own family to wear a helmet.

[Industry_Hack]

For folks that don't understand just how little it takes, read this. Al was riding his BMX bike in a parking lot, and a car back into him, knocking him over and causing him to strike his head on the ground. No high speed impact, no being thrown in the air. Just knocked over.